WMCHealth Medical Villages Move Forward With Expansion

State approvals bring expansions, enhancements and a new era of patient care.

By Melissa F. Pheterson

Two transformative projects for the Westchester Medical Center Health Network (WMCHealth) and for the region have received approval from New York State – heralding an exciting new era of enhanced care, thriving communities and innovative healthcare concepts, including the patient-centered “medical village.”

“These approvals are major milestones in WMCHealth’s comprehensive plan to provide Hudson Valley residents with vital services as close to their homes as possible,” says Michael D. Israel, President and CEO of WMCHealth.

A “Community Anchor” for Port Jervis

With approval secured and $24 million from New York State, Bon Secours Charity Health System will begin a transformative, $40-million project, “Investing in a Healthier Community,” at Bon Secours Community Hospital, a member of WMCHealth. At the heart of this effort is an expansive “medical village,” where the hospital will collaborate with community partners to provide a range of health-and-wellness services in one central hub.

Upon completion in 2020, the project will include a state-of-the-art emergency department with 10,000 extra square feet of space; a new, welcoming entrance and expanded lounge for patients and family members; and an upgraded imaging center replete with gold-standard diagnostic technologies. It will also feature a redesigned bariatric center, a central pharmacy and additional patient comforts, such as 36 new private rooms.

“Hospitals are community anchors that are expected to lead the way when it comes to healthcare innovation,” says Mary P. Leahy, MD, CEO of Bon Secours Charity Health System. “The Bon Secours Community Hospital project will be a beacon for a healthier Port Jervis.”

A Reimagined Campus in Kingston

With state support, HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley will also move forward with expansive renovations in Kingston.

HealthAlliance Hospital: Mary’s Avenue Campus, a member of WMCHealth, will undergo a $92 million expansion that includes a new, four-story tower with 141 private rooms, as well as an additional 100,000 square feet of space for the hospital. 

The reimagined campus will also feature a state-of-the-art emergency department, intensive care unit and medical-surgical tower; a Family Birth Place Center; a same-day surgery center; two computer-enhanced inpatient surgical suites; and an advanced endoscopy services center. The initiative will also redevelop HealthAlliance Hospital: Broadway Campus, also a member of WMCHealth, into its own “medical village,” a hub and focal point for the city’s health needs.

With projected completion in 2020, this renovation represents the first stage of a multi-year, $133.6 million “Healthy Neighborhood Initiative” project in Kingston, with New York State providing two-thirds of the funding.

“We’re thrilled to have received approval for this important project,” says David Scarpino, President and CEO of HealthAlliance of the Hudson Valley. “Like us, the Department of Health sees the critical need for this effort, and I would like to thank Governor Cuomo and New York State for their steadfast support.” 

Featured Image: Bon Secours Community Hospital